It took two seven-game series with wild finishes, but the Bruins finally know their opponent in Round 2. They will face the Carolina Hurricanes thanks to the NHL’s re-seeding of the second round series. Had the Rangers beat the Capitals, the Bruins would draw the Rangers instead of the winner of the Canes/Devils series. But, Washington overcame a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Rangers in Game 7, and the Hurricanes knocked off the Devils to advance and will play the B’s.

Carolina’s win in Game 7 was highly improbable. They were down 3-2 with 80 seconds remaining in regulation. Most writers in the arena already had their game stories written with the Devils as the presumed winners, but the Hurricanes forced a lot of editing as they scored two goals in the final 80 seconds against the Devils and the legendary Martin Brodeur.

The Bruins were 4-0 against the Hurricanes during the regular season, winning 4-2, 4-2, 5-1, and 5-1. As you can see, the Bruins should have the edge. If anything, I think the Hurricanes could win a couple games in the series off pure adrenaline and Bruins rust, but the B’s have much more talent, superior goaltending, and were in top form against the Canadiens in the first round.